Ear Climbers: The Top Jewelry Trend

July 25, 2014 Cheryl Kremkow Jewelry Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

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At every award show and red carpet event, it’s clear what today’s top jewelry trend is: ear climbers.  These earrings that go up the ear have been a celebrity favorite for a while now.  They’ve gone from directional to must-have in record time.  Unlike ear cuffs, ear wraps and the larger earring innovations, climbers appeal to a wide variety of women and appear to have some staying power as a jewelry silhouette.

And although I’ve heard them called “up the earrings,” “ear vines,” “ear pins,” and “ear wings” as well as just the more general “ear cuffs,” I think we’ve reached consensus on the name ear climbers to describe this particular silhouette. When does a climber with an extra lobe attachment become a cuff?  Or a climber that curves around become a wrap? Weigh in below!  We need nomenclature, people!

Who started the climber trend? Is it a logical next step up from bar-shaped studs? An evolution of traditional Indian earring silhouettes? A result of the cool earrings Rodarte showed on the runway of its Spring 2013 show? Jewelry designer Jack Vartanian was an early adopter, if not the first.  His climbers are worn by Jessica Alba, Halle Berry,  Christina Hendricks, and Anna Kendricks so he’s certainly done a lot to publicize the trend.  So has Emma Watson, who makes climbers cool at almost every red carpet event.

But Vartanian is far from alone in inspiring women to try this trend in fine jewelry instead of costume. Here are my favorite 25 ear climbers (with a few ear-climbing cuffs and wraps thrown in).  I’ve collected even more on my Ear Cuffs and Climbers Pinterest Board. Which is your favorite?

Fernando Jorge
Fernando Jorge
Ileana Makri
Ileana Makri
Colette
Colette
Lito Hive Earring in 18k rose gold and rose-cut black diamonds
Hive Earring by Lito in 18k rose gold and rose-cut black diamonds
Elise Dray Dragon Ear Cuff
Khaleesi, your earring awaits: Dragon ear cuff by Elise Dray
Elise Dray
Feather ear wrap and stud for the other ear by Elise Dray

 

Khaleesi, your earring awaits: dragon ear cuff by Crows Nest
Maleficent Collection ear cuff by Crows Nest
Aura Earring by Nicholas Liu
Aura Earring by Nicholas Liu
Amrapali
Fierce ruby spikes by Amrapali

 

Wing Earrings by Jack Vartanian
Wing Earrings by Jack Vartanian
Tahitian pearl and diamond earrings by Jemma Wynne
Tahitian pearl and diamond earrings by Jemma Wynne
Ana Khouri
Just a few diamonds on this climber by Ana Khouri
Cristina Ortiz
A dramatic winged climber that also drops by Cristina Ortiz
Jack Vartanian
These unusual climbers by Jack Vartanian have a texture like an animal print.
Jack Vartanian Ruby Ear Climbers
Emerald cut ruby earrings by Jack Vartanian
Kismet by Milka
Kismet by Milka
Rina Limor
Rina Limor
Magnipheasant Earrings by Stephen Webster
Magnipheasant Earrings by Stephen Webster

 

Cristina Ortiz
Cristina Ortiz
Lust and Lustre Earrings by Leyla Abdollahi
Lust and Lustre Earrings by Leyla Abdollahi
Heartbeat Ear Cuff by Delphine Leymarie
Heartbeat Ear Cuff by Delphine Leymarie

 

Michelle Fantaci
This earring by Michelle Fantaci can be worn as a climber or as a drop

 

Laurie Kaiser
Laurie Kaiser
Arabesque Ear Climbers by Pamela Forman
Arabesque Ear Climbers by Pamela Forman
Ron Hami
Ron Hami

 

3 Comments

  1. FirstEmilie 6 years Reply

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  2. Meiko Lucas 8 years Reply

    Loved these serpentine climbers, especially the various designs and variations that have been created here. That dragon like climber was a real eye catcher.

  3. avantika arora 8 years Reply

    Amazing ear climbers just love all these@ http://www.voylla.com/

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